Your fast NBA season previews start now. Plus, Liberty, Lynx tied in WNBA Finals
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There was an ungainly and hilarious interplay with Sam Mitchell and Chris Miles on NBA TV on Friday night time. Watch it right here. Delight in all its uncomfortable glory. We’ll break this down tomorrow!
Season Previews
Can the 76ers and Knicks problem the Celtics?
Over the subsequent six editions of The Bounce, we’re going to be previewing the 2024-25 season! Opening night time is eight days away, and we’re going via every division and every main particular person award. For every workforce, I’ll make a daring prediction and a prediction on the over/underneath set by BetMGM. 5 🥶 emojis on the new seat meter equals job safety. 5 🔥 means “Replace that resume.” Let’s preview the Atlantic!
(Be happy to share these useful playing cards round. Or not. It’s regardless of to your humble e-newsletter scribe.)
Greatest-case state of affairs?We see a remix of final 12 months as they repeat as champions.
Worst-case state of affairs?They get knocked out early within the playoffs by the Warmth.
Confidence within the Celtics:💪💪💪💪💪
Greatest-case state of affairs?KAT matches proper in, and so they win the East.
Worst-case state of affairs?The inside protection is horrible, and so they get smoked earlier than the convention finals.
Confidence within the Knicks:💪💪💪💪
Greatest-case state of affairs?That is the correct combination, and the Sixers make no less than the convention finals.
Worst-case state of affairs?Superb common season, and so they’re knocked out within the first spherical.
Confidence within the Sixers?:💪💪💪
Greatest-case state of affairs?Ben Simmons is nice once more, Cam Thomas scores lots, and so they land the primary choose within the draft.
Worst-case state of affairs?They’re unwatchable, Simmons offers nothing, and so they get the sixth choose.
Confidence within the Nets:🚫
Greatest-case state of affairs?The trio of Barnes, Quickley and Barrett is nice offensively, and so they get into the Play-In Event.
Worst-case state of affairs?They’re not unhealthy sufficient for a excessive draft choose, not adequate to matter.
Confidence within the Raptors:💪💪
Awards Predictions
Who will win the Most Improved Participant award?
I’m lucky sufficient to have a vote within the NBA’s regular-season awards. It’s one thing I take very significantly, and, by take very significantly, I imply it stresses me out to choose the correct winners. I believe that’s the way you’re purported to really feel when voting for awards.
Most Improved Participant has the anomaly to be all over, so I attempt to impose my very own boundary/normal for the award.
I don’t imagine second-year gamers ought to actually be eligible for the award. I usually simply contemplate third-year gamers or these later of their profession. After their rookie season, they’re supposed to leap up in consolation and understanding of the best way to strategy the season and their function. A participant’s third 12 months is after they can begin differentiating themselves from earlier verisons. With that mentioned, listed here are BetMGM’s favorites for this coming season’s MIP:
Favourite:Victor Wembanyama (+700)
Threats:Jonathan Kuminga (+1000), Evan Mobley (+1100), Josh Giddey (+1400), Jalen Williams (+1400), Jalen Johnson (+1400)
Darkhorse:Jaden Ivey (+5000)
🔮 My prediction:Ben Simmons. (Second 12 months in a row for me. I is likely to be caught in a bit.)
WNBA Finals
Liberty keep away from déjà vu, pull even with Lynx
It regarded just like the New York Liberty’s nightmare state of affairs was about to occur once more in Sport 2 of the WNBA Finals yesterday. After they blew a giant lead in Sport 1 and crumbled to the Minnesota Lynx, we had been getting a repeat efficiency by each squads. The Liberty had been up huge. Then, their lead dwindled right down to 10 at halftime. The Lynx’s protection confirmed up within the second half, and it was a two-point recreation with 3:40 left.
The Liberty didn’t collapse, although. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton hit a large 3-pointer, Leonie Fiebich hit one other one after a Lynx turnover and the Liberty’s protection carried them to an 80-66 victory. The sequence is tied at 1-1 heading again to Minneapolis.
What was the distinction for the Liberty? Laney-Hamilton and Jonquel Jones stepped up huge within the second half. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggled within the second half, however the function gamers got here via.
What do the Lynx want to alter for Sport 3? Don’t give the ball away. That they had 20 turnovers, together with a number of key ones within the fourth that thwarted their comeback try.
Who must step up for the Lynx? Kayla McBride. The Lynx want the Kayla who dropped 22 in Sport 1.
How ought to the Liberty regulate for Sport 3? They must get Stewart and Ionescu simpler appears to be like within the second half. Stewart did play nice protection down the stretch, although.
When is Sport 3? Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from the Goal Middle in Minneapolis.
Bounce Passes
The “No Dunks” crew predicted the awards for the 2024-25 season. Is everyone on Group Zach Edey?
It’s important to learn David Aldridge on Vince Carter making the Corridor of Fame.
Right here’s how NBA scouts really feel about 2024 No. 2 choose Alex Sarr and what he could be for the Wizards.
I scent an upcoming Beef Court docket trial between Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson.
Most-clicked in Friday’s e-newsletter: Tales of Jack Nicholson sitting courtside.
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(High picture: Michelle Farsi / Getty Photos)
